Church vs. State?

Question

I'm a priest (just kidding)... I'm told by popular mega church minister in confession and confidence, for pray and release of guilt, that she had an intimate moment with a boy at 17 when she was 29. She is now 43 and since ask God for forgivessness. The relationship never went forward and now forgotten. As a priest, she confided in me for prayer. Do I report her to the state (I took a oath before God to preserve confidence at let him handle it) or report to God and never say a word ( I have a civil duty to report any activity such as this)? What should I do?

Answer 1

That's probably not illegal. For example, in Missouri, statutory rape is someone over 21 with someone under 17. The age of consent in most states is 16 or 17, so I doubt she did anything illegal. Search for the statutory rape laws or age of consent in your state.

Beyond that, you are supposed to maintain the same kind of relationship with your "clients" as a lawyer or doctor does - i.e. you don't tell anything to anyone.

Answer 2

There is an expression on Italian for this, "Non sprigarsi il can che dorme." or Do not wake the sleeping dog. If indeed this transgression has past into history, it is not worth the time and trouble to report. If, however, the activity continues, with other young people, it becomes an issue. As a priest, you are bound by an oath to keep confession confidential. The rest is between you and your conscience.

Answer 3

14 years later, I'm sure it's completely forgotten. Not to mention the boy was only one year away from being legal (if it's the same as it is here).

Why are you just thinking about this now, fourteen years later? Haha, anyway, from the way you said it, it sounds like was consensual in the first place; I think a seventeen-year-old (despite what the laws may say) should have the right to choose who and when. I don't think you have a "civic duty" for anything, as long as she's not continuing this behavior and the boy isn't traumatized by the event.

Really, unless she's still having sex with underage boys, I wouldn't worry about it.

Answer 4

Your duty to God comes first. She has asked for forgiveness; therefore, the matter is settled. The devil would like you to report her in order to stir up trouble for the church. Nothing good would be served by making the matter public. Also, if you vowed confidence, then reporting the incident would be violating that confidence and God would not look upon that with favor. He has taken care of the problem, so there is nothing for you to do.

Answer 5

The same thing the 17 year old did... nothing. I highly doubt that 17 year old was complaining- and the minister should have never felt guilty in the first place- it isn't natural to swear off sex, so for her to have one slip up is really not a big deal. Religion or no, she is still human.

Answer 6

Leave it along and tell her the good news about Jesus Christ that he came to pay the penalty for sin and as long as she trust in him and made him Lord and Savior the Blood of Jesus washed away the sin .Amen ,

Then again maybe you should make her say 15000 Hail Marys and give you a lump sum of Money isn't that the way the catholic church works

Answer 7

Any catholic priest who hears about a sin,can advice the person concerned.But if it is in the confessional, he must advise the penitent and leave it at that.He will not take it out of the confessional.Some have even been killed over this.

Answer 8

The boy enjoyed it, the woman probably was left wanting more. Keep your trap shut.
If it was a man who did it to a 17 year old girl society would say it is different, I say keep your trap shut.
If it was a pre pubescent child or rape of either gender tell the world.

Answer 9

in the usa the church runs the state by the back door priests are used to the back door

Answer 10

When she was 29, 17 was legal age in most, if not all, states.